I try to temper expectations with the Falcons and Michael Penix Jr. because it’s important to remember that he’s still essentially a rookie.

His arm talent is obvious, and he’s got the confidence to boot. Penix never flinched in the face of adversity last season, especially in the waning minutes against the Commanders and Panthers.

However, it seems like some fans aren’t even considering the possibility that Penix might not be great immediately. He only started three games last year and had a 78.6 passer rating (27th) and 58% completion percentage (29th).

There were certainly flashes, which is why everyone in Atlanta, including me, is so excited about Penix, but we can’t ignore the shortcomings. Penix’s accuracy faltered in certain situations.

With all of that being said, as soon as I saw the first highlight of Michael Penix at Falcons training camp, all of the logic left my brain, and listening to Atlanta’s new franchise quarterback at the podium makes me even more delusional.

“We should be the best in the league,” Penix said when asked about the potential of the Falcons’ offense. “With the guys we got around us, we got a great offensive line as well. Those guys work extremely hard in the trenches with coach [Dwayne] Ledford out there leading those guys, doing a great job with those guys. We should be unstoppable. That’s our goal. We should be number one in all the categories on the offensive side of the ball.”

I went from cautiously optimistic to, “We are winning the Super Bowl, and Michael Penix Jr. is winning the MVP,” in a matter of moments. Of course, there’s a sliver of hyperbolic tone in that, but … how could you not be?! That’s the kind of effect a quarterback’s confidence can have on a fan base.

Bijan Robinson flirted with 2,000 yards from scrimmage last year, Drake London had the best year of his career, Darnell Mooney proved to be one of the league’s best WR2s, and the offensive line, which was one of the NFL’s best, returns four starters.

While Penix only played in three games, you can still see the potential in the bones of the offense. The unit finished sixth in yards per game (369.8 yards), 10th in rushing yards per game (130.5 yards), fifth in passing (239.5 yards), and 13th in points per game (22.9 points).

That’s all with Kirk Cousins throwing one touchdown to nine interceptions across a five-game stretch. I’m trying to be realistic about Michael Penix and the Falcons, but the more I talk about it, the more irrational I get.

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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire